France: Danone invests $18.3 million in New Zealand site

French dairy multinational Danone is making a $18.3 million upgrade to its New Zealand infant formula factory, according to a report in Foodbev.

The investment will reportedly double production capacity at the Danone facility in Auckland, allowing the firm to export greater quantities of infant nutrition products. The move is part of a wider Danone investment programme in New Zealand, initiated in 2014, through which the firm has so far devoted $62.1 million to expand production of infant nutrition products in the country.

Danone’s infant formula business distributes its Karicare and Aptamil brand ranges in New Zealand, and its processing plants also produce base powder for international products.

In a statement, Danone New Zealand operations director Cyril Marniquet said: “Australia continues to be our number one export destination but we’re seeing growing demand for our international products in other markets, including China. By doubling production capacity we’re better placed than ever before to meet ongoing demand in key markets”.

Source: Foodbev